On April 30, Peter Hess wrote, “If evidence were discovered that controverted either gravity or evolution, you can bet the theory would be vigorously challenged by scientists eager to claim a Nobel Prize.”

The fact is, many scientists are vigorously challenging evolutionary theory. This can be verified by an Internet search on “Dissent from Darwin.” There, a list may be found of more than 1,000 distinguished scientists who have signed onto the statement: “We are skeptical of claims for the ability of random mutation and natural selection to account for the complexity of life. Careful examination of the evidence for Darwinian theory should be encouraged.” The scientific credentials of each signatory is listed.

This fact will remain unknown to public schooled kids because, as I lamented in my original letter some time ago, public schools teach kids what to think, not how to think. Apparently there’s a line that must not be crossed.

Hess implies that that line is between science and religion. I know of at least 1,000 scientists who would disagree.

Bob Humphrey

Pleasant Hill

Solar panels are not so ‘green’

I would like to enlighten Jack Kline and the public in response to his letter, “Wind and solar are ‘green.’ “

Solar panels are not green because after a possible life span of 10 to 15 years, they must be disposed of. Kline does not mention that solar panels must be disposed of as hazardous waste. What is that doing for the environment? And then there’s the cost of disposal.

The same can be said for wind turbines, which are mostly nonpolluting. When their useful life is over, there is material to recycle or dispose of. What about the number of birds killed each year by those turbines?

However, I think wind and solar technologies are still in their infancy and will improve with time and have great benefits.

Kline paints a wonderful picture, but does not tell us about the negative aspects of wind and solar. We need the whole story from beginning to end.

Gene Berry

San Pablo

Put video cameras in parking lot

BART owns the Hillcrest Park and Ride lot in Antioch. Commuters take Tri Delta Transit to the BART station.

My vehicle at the Hillcrest lot was vandalized twice in one year. I hear very frequently of people’s vehicles being stolen or vandalized.

The sad part is BART has not installed even a single security camera in that parking lot. I’ve never seen a security patrol there, either.

Although about 100 vehicles use that lot every working day, it looks like a graveyard between commute hours, making it an easy target for burglars and vandals.

I tried to contact BART several times about this, but no luck. If BART really cares for its patrons, it needs to install security cameras and put up a big sign reading: “This parking lot is under video surveillance.”

David Rajan

Brentwood

Senate vote saved lives

This responds to Beckie Abbott’s letter, “Gun violence kills people.”

People kill people. The fault lies with the person using the inanimate object, such as a bottle of an alcoholic beverage, an automobile, a gun or even a bathtub.

The reason why most Americans support gun rights is that they know the only hope of safety they, their children, and their neighbors have is a good person with adequate firepower when a determined and evil person with a gun resorts to violence.

According to the Cato Institute, the civilian use of firearms saves the lives of 100,000 Americans each year. We can only be thankful for the many lives probably saved by the April 17 Senate vote on gun control.

William Ellis

Walnut Creek

Why make such a speech at all?

Really, the president was keynote speaker for Planned Parenthood.

During a recent interview, Barack Obama was asked about Dr. Kermit Gosnell, who is on trial for the murders of live babies at his abortion clinic. The trial, by the way, that the liberal media (including this newspaper) has refused to cover. His comment was he thinks Bill Clinton had the right idea that abortion should be safe, legal and rare.

So, President Obama, why would you be willing to speak to an organization who aborts 300,000 babies every year? Rare indeed. Guzzling pinot noir and enjoying prime rib while discussing dead babies must make for a great evening.

Connie Clark Benson

Hayward

List Senate’s vote on gun control

I agree with the Robert Schwendinger’s recent letter about the NRA taking over the government by using the Second Amendment. It reminds me of Hitler’s National Socialist Party.

The Times should publish a list of the senators and how they voted on April 17 on gun control. I’m sure those who voted in opposition to gun-control legislation had valid reasons, in the context of their mindset.

However, a list showing the senators’ yes or no votes would be helpful to me and other voters in deciding for ourselves who we want to represent us in the Senate.

In closed door talks, Sen. Dianne Feinstein agreed to a major new water policy for California that sells out the Delta and guts Endangered Species Act protections. Sen. Barbara Boxer is fighting the good fight to remove the rider from her comprehensive water infrastructure bill, but it may take a presidential veto.